Page 67 of Knotted their Beauty

BARON

I pop my knuckles as I pace the hall, ready to crawl right out of my skin thanks to this feeling of doom sitting in the pit of my stomach.

Again.

I really thought this would settle down once we were all together.

I made sure Ves was good despite playing in a crime scene. I was definitely worried he’d lost his shit, and while I still think he might be on the edge of something pretty unhinged, he’s mellowed out some. Lennox is good. As good as he gets for now, and back on track to being more himself. More the way he deserves to be, and he’s very open to seeing if there are options that could help him on a more regular basis.

I got him here, got us all in the same place and talking about things. Bonds are being formed, acceptance is happening. I know we’re not completely there yet, but things are going in the right direction.

Why I’m so wound up the slightest thing could make me pop is beyond me.

By all accounts, I should be happy. I should be calm. I should be enjoying everything, right down to sleeping in a bed and not driving around until I find the next safe place to park.

And while I’m extremely appreciative of that, and thrilled about packing up, I can’t shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen.

“I don’t think they’re going to like it if we check out and there’s a path worn into the floor,” Arlo says quietly with a smile as he slips out of Cali’s room. “What’s wrong?”

I shrug, “I don’t know.”

He reaches out and takes my hand, leading me to the kitchenette. “Then, let’s figure it out.”

I can’t help but smile at that.

Arlo got slapped with a pack of assholes, some of the crabbiest, moodiest men, and he’s somehow still so sweet.

Hopefully that doesn’t change the longer we’re together.

“Are you hungry?” he asks as I lean against the counter. “Ves gets hangry and I have a feeling you might be the same way.”

I am, and I love that he’s already figured it out, but… “I’m good.”

Arlo turns to me and gives me a knowing look. “You skipped breakfast, picked at lunch, and we aren’t having dinner until after the show.”

“True.”

“You need a snack.” He goes back to the fridge and pulls out a soda, some cheese, fruit, then reaches into the cupboard and grabs the cashews. “Something with protein that will hold you over until then.”

“You don’t have to feed me, Arlo. I’m a big boy, I can get myself something if I⁠—”

“I know,” he says as he glances back at me, a blush racing up his neck. “I like the idea of being able to take care of you. All of you. It’s going to take a little time for me to figure out how to do it, it’s not like I have a lot of experience, but I want to make all of you happy.”

I step up behind him, stilling his hands before I turn him to face me. “You make us happy, little omega. You don’t have to perform any kind of service or whatever. Just you being you.”

His blush deepens and he gives me a shy smile. “But I⁠—”

“Just you,” I say as I shake my head and lift my hand, stroking his cheek with my knuckles.

I smile as he leans into my touch, dipping my chin and brushing my lips against his before I press them firmly for our first kiss.

What a kiss it is.

Lemon cake fills my senses as I grip his neck, pushing my tongue into his mouth, tangling them as Arlo whimpers.

“Just you,” I whisper as I break the kiss and drop my forehead to his. “We’re happy because we have you, and that’s what you need to remember.”

“Okay,” he says a little breathlessly. “But maybe… maybe my love language is acts of service?”